As an experienced litigator in the firm’s higher education practice group, Brandt Hill represents educational institutions in student and employment litigation and arbitration. His bread and butter is defending schools against breach of contract and tort claims under state law and against discrimination claims brought under the federal Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Brandt’s institutional clients also routinely turn to him when they find themselves in matters before their accrediting agencies and state regulators.
Brandt also routinely advises schools on regulatory issues involving the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Education Act. More recently, he has developed a niche advising institutions on how to ensure their telemarketing practices comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations.
Brandt has extensive appellate experience, having written dozens of briefs and argued in federal and state appellate courts throughout the country. His appellate experience is not limited to the education industry: He has handled civil appeals on topics including water-rights disputes between states and federal agencies, defamation suits implicating Section 230 publisher immunity for third-party online content, and the ability of manufacturers and wholesalers to ship and sell alcohol across state lines under the 21st Amendment.
Before joining Thompson Coburn, Brandt worked at large law firms in Birmingham and in New York City. As a junior associate in New York, he litigated antitrust and sports matters, including the infamous “Deflategate” dispute between Tom Brady and the NFL. One of Brandt’s proudest moments as an attorney is when he successfully petitioned for clemency on behalf of two individuals who had their sentences commuted by President Obama.
During his time at the University of California-Santa Barbara as an undergraduate, he was a member of the school’s Division 1 baseball team. In addition to earning his J.D. from Tulane University Law School in New Orleans, Brandt has studied at schools in Hong Kong and England.
experience
- James v. Fortis Institute (AAA) (June 28, 2024). Achieved complete dismissal of former student claims brought against school for breach of enrollment agreement and misrepresentation.
- Mai v. AI Dallas, No. 2023-cv-01275 (N.D. Tex. 2023). Successfully obtained confirmation of arbitration award on former student’s breach of contract claims against college and obtained award of attorney’s fees.
- In re Oct. 8, 2021 Closure of Vista College, No. 23-DCV-229309 (Tex. MDL 2022). Successfully transferred seven individual state-court lawsuits filed in Texas state court to single court for pretrial proceedings.
- Qureshi v. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, No. 1:20-cv-934 (M.D. Ala. Dec. 28, 2021). Obtained dismissal of former student’s Title VII national origin discrimination claims against medical college.
- Matthews v. American Society of Professional Education, et al., Case No. 1:21-291-LY (W.D. Tex. Nov. 4, 2021). Obtained dismissal for lack of personal jurisdiction.
- Jenkins v. Georgia Driving Academy, No. 2021-MAG-1131 (Rockdale Cty. Mag. Ct.) (Jul. 13, 2021). Prevailed at trial on former student’s claims that professional driving school failed to accommodate disability.
- Hilburg v. Fortis College, No. 01-20-0014-5423 (AAA) (June 28, 2021). Obtained dismissal of student’s claim that college’s transition to distance education during COVID-19 pandemic violated enrollment agreement.
- Cannon v. Lucas, — So.3d —-, No. 1190505, 2021 WL 3700830 (Ala. Aug. 20, 2021). Obtained reversal of $18 million adverse jury verdict and remand for new trial.
- NRZ Pass-Through Tr. IV v. Tarantola, 192 A.D.3d 819, 144 N.Y.S.3d 196 (Mar. 12, 2021). Successfully orally argued case to obtain reversal of trial court order dismissing case for failure to join necessary party in mortgage foreclosure action.
- Hamilton v. Buffalo Rock Co., Case No. 190853 (Ala. Aug. 20, 2020). Obtained affirmance of trial court order granting motion for partial summary judgment in personal injury action arising out of car accident.
- MasterMind Involvement Mktg., Inc. v. Art Inst. of Atlanta, LLC, 389 F. Supp. 3d 1291 (N.D. Ga. 2019). Obtained injunction requiring vendor to return social media login credentials to multiple universities.
- MetLife Sec., Inc. v. Brandt, No. B282949, 2018 WL 6616097 (Cal. Ct. App. Dec. 18, 2018). Obtained affirmance in case involving request for attorney fees.
- Marshall v. Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Case No. 1:18-cv-00631-ECM-WC, 2018 WL 4955211 (M.D. Ala. Oct. 12, 2018). Obtained dismissal of ADA and due process claims against school.
- Ex parte Birmingham Airport Auth., 274 So. 3d 964 (Ala. 2018). Obtained writ of mandamus requiring dismissal of all claims against client due to statutory immunity defense.
- In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation. Represented foreign manufacturer of bearings in defending against class-action antitrust lawsuit.
- Brady v. NFL (“Deflategate”). Represented former New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady in arbitration and court proceedings challenging his four-game suspension imposed by the NFL.
- Rice v. NFL. Represented former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in successfully challenging suspension imposed by NFL.
- Peterson v. NFL. Represented NFL running back Adrian Peterson in arbitration and court proceedings challenging his suspension under the NFL Personal Conduct Policy.
- Listed in Best Lawyers Ones to Watch, 2022-2024
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Appellate Practice (by BL Rankings), 2025
I am an avid amateur landscaper. On any given weekend when I’m not parenting three young children or coaching their youth sports teams, you can find me planting trees and shrubs and tending to my garden and grass.